Caged Hemp Protest Near White House

A screen capture from the video stream generated from inside the cage.

A man locked himself in a cage at the north end of Lafayette Square near the White House with several hemp plants and called on President Barack Obama to let U.S. farmers grow hemp for industrial purposes.

Police carted the hemp plants and the cage away. It was unclear what happened to the protester, who used a spoke to a small and mostly puzzled crowd of tourists and passersby once the cage was opened.

According to a press release issued earlier in the morning, the man is David Bronner, CEO of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, which says it is an importer of more than 20 tons of hemp oil per year from Canadian farmers.

The press release said Mr. Bronner planned to stage an action at the White House to protest Federal policy that bars U.S. farmers from growing industrial hemp. He also video streamed the protest from inside the cage.

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.